Three undeniable reasons the Spurs will make the playoffs this season

The San Antonio Spurs will look like a different team in 2024–2025. They drafted their guard of the future in Stephon Castle, who has shown signs of great things to come. The organization also went out and gained experience by signing veterans Chris Paul and Harrison Barnes, who will each benefit this team heavily.

During all of this, superstar Victor Wembanyama has been making waves with his French national team ahead of the Summer Olympics, keeping fans excited for his growth.

The Spurs have been a model franchise for the last two decades, and not seeing them compete in post-season play just does not seem right. Perhaps this could be the year the Spurs turn it around and make a run.

Three undeniable reasons the Spurs will make the playoffs this season

3. The Chris Paul Effect

The lack of maturity was a big reason for the Spurs' 60 losses last season. The team struggled late in games and was often flustered to make the right play in crunch time, which led to losing big leads on most nights.

The Spurs needed someone to quarterback the team through growing pains. With this heavy need, only a certain type of player was right for the job, and that was Paul. Once deemed the "Point God," Paul has revolutionized what a true point guard is for a team. Whether it is directing an offense, making the right pass, getting players in the right spots, or hitting an easy jump shot, the now 39-year-old Paul was a wizard in his prime.

No, this is not the same MVP-caliber or All-NBA player as he was years ago. But this version of Paul can still contribute to this team, and it starts with his leadership, especially considering how young this team is. Paul is one of the most winningest point guards in NBA history, and there is a reason for that. He knows how to command a team, and he has done so in almost every city he has gone to.

Paul has a great reputation for turning a team around. On every team he has been on, Paul has increased that team's winning percentage in his first season. The likelihood of that happening in San Antonio is very high. Paul is also no stranger to the postseason, making it in 15 of his 18 seasons. Now, for a Spurs team that has not reached the playoffs in five years, Paul could very well help the team end this porous streak.

From a pure basketball perspective, Paul can uplift the younger players on this team, including Wembanyama, Devin Vassell, Jeremey Sochan, and others. The latter two players have yet to make that huge leap of improvement in their careers, but Paul could be the guy that gets them there. Ultimately, Paul's ability to put players in the best position to score in their ways is top-tier. Castle's game will likely be positively influenced by Paul's presence in town as well.

Many believe that Paul understands that his chances of winning an NBA title have closed. But being able to mentor young players and play with arguably the best young talent in all of the NBA is a great alternative for him at this stage of his career.

2. Deeper Bench

Paul and Vassell are likely to start the season alongside each other in the backcourt. Sochan, Barnes, and Wembanyama could very well round out spots 3-5, and this starting five could be scary. A lot can change from now until the start of the season, but chances are, this could be it.

That leaves a bench that includes Castle, Keldon Jones, Tre Jones, Julian Champagnie, Zach Collins, Malaki Branham and Blake Wesley. A bench with this much firepower could uplift this team as the season goes on. Johnson, who has been criticized heavily over the last two years, could mold into a great sixth-man option and be that spark off the bench that most teams need. His contagious energy could bring a good change of pace during games.

Additionally, Castle and Jones are great options behind Paul, and each could play hefty minutes. Castle has the versatility to be effective anywhere, while Jones' defense and fast-break efficiency are outstanding. During the prime Spurs years, their bench play and role players played a big part in the team's success. If this team wants to get back into contention, solid bench production is a must.

1. Wembanyama will take a substantial leap thanks to more minutes

It was evident last season that Wembanyama is a rising star in this league. He made countless highlights and put the rest of the NBA on notice that this will soon be a Wemby-dominated league.

During his rookie season, where he averaged 21 points, 10 rebounds, four rebounds, and four blocks (league-leading), Wembanyama did all this on a minute restriction. Like many young players under Coach Gregg Popovich, Wembanyama was eased into NBA life regardless of his stardom before he even came to the United States.

This minute restriction was a big factor in the Spurs losing many close games as he was on the bench during critical moments. Popovich seemingly was not fazed by losing close games, as he instead focused on developing Wembanyama efficiently. If things had been different, the Spurs' 60 losses, which is a mark that has only happened three times in 40 years, would be far less. Chances are Popovich lets Wembanyama see more floor time this season after seeing his potential.

It is clear that Wembanyama can handle the load of an NBA season, and because of that, he is set to be unleashed like a rabid dog taken off his leash. With this, he can have a bigger impact on games, especially when he sees the floor during crunch time. With more minutes and with what Paul will do for his game, Wembanyama alone could take the Spurs to the next level.

With what is in place for the Spurs right now, Wembanyama is likely to be a first-time All-Star and eventually enter the conversation for the game's best center. Overall, he could make a substantial leap in year two, leading to a more successful 2024–2025 season for the Spurs.

The Spurs have been a dominant franchise for the last 20 years, and not seeing them among the league's best just does not feel right. Luckily for them, they are knocking at the door of basketball relevancy again.